National Champion in tennis
Aqeel Khan is an iconic tennis player who has been amassing a staggering record on the domestic circuit, without getting due acknowledgements for his achievements. Though many Pakistanis have heard of Aqeel Khan because of his Davis Cup prowess, few seem to know about his indelible mark on Pakistan’s local tennis landscape, his struggle to compete in the international arena and about the cruel hand of fate in determining his success as an athlete.
Karachi-born Aqeel Khan is an auspicious tennis player of Pakistan who began playing tennis at the age of 9, whilst attending school in Karachi as well. He began playing junior tennis in 1993 at the Pakistan International Junior Championships. Despite the potential to move further up the rankings, opportunities have been limited due to a lack of funds, and not enough ITF tournaments being played in Pakistan. It means he must to travel abroad to play matches.
He also holds the record for playing the most ties for Pakistan in the Davis Cup and has the best doubles partnership, with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, for Pakistan. Aqeel khan turned Pro in 1998 and attained his highest single’s career ranking 349 in 2004 while his highest ranking in doubles is 613. He is part of national Davis Cup team since 1998.
He won the deciding 5th rubbers to promote Pakistan Davis Cup from group 2 to group 1. He also won the deciding 5th matches against New Zealand (2004, 2005), to promote Pakistan from Group 1 to World Group play-off matches for the first time in the history of Pakistani tennis Aqeel khan remained the longest ever Pakistani #1 in Singles & Doubles since 1999. He represented Pakistan in four Asian Games, won 3 ITF Futures and 2 ITF Satellite tournaments. He represented Pakistan in the Islamic Solidarity Games and won the gold medal (Individual Doubles Gold Medal & Individual Singles Bronze Medal). The list is unending and Agee! khan is unstoppable, this veteran retains 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Tournament 2020 title and along with Aisam ul Haq steered Pakistan to humongous win over Slovenia in Davis Cup 2020 tie for World Group1Play-offs. Aqeel khan is the name of a discipline, down to earth indefatigable athlete, serving the game and his country without a break.
The management Committee of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed National Tennis Championship and Islamabad tennis Complex is paying tribute to the legend of this Sports who rose to the eminence despite all the hurdles in his way and is a role model for the youth of this country in general and players associated with tennis in particular. We wish him best of luck in the future.
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